Removable stick game

ABSTRACT

A game and method of playing same which comprises a plurality of elongated sticks, preferably in groups of different indicia, and a ring through which the sticks are initially placed such that they can become freestanding in a generally conical configuration. Cards are provided for indicating a stick of a given indicia to be removed from the freestanding sticks by pulling the same through the ring.

llnited States Patent Adolph Eddy Goldfarb 19434 Londelius St., Northridge, Calif. 9 1324;

Rene Soriano, Los Angeles, Calil. 20,299

Mar. 17, 1970 Nov. 2, 1971 said Goldlarb, by said Soriano lnventors Appl. No. Filed Patented Assignee REMOVABLE STICK GAME 4 Claims, 2 Drawing Figs.

[1.8. CI 273/1 R llnt. Cl A631 9/00 Field of Search 273/1 R, 1 E, l M

[56] References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 254,430 2/1882 Crandall 273/1 R 1,885,260 11/1932 l-loglind 273/1 R 2,103,467 12/1937 Konikoff 273/1 R 3,114,548 12/1963 Taft, Jr. 273/1 R Primary Examiner-Anton O. Oechsle Assistant ExaminerPaul E. Shapiro Attameys- Sokolski & Wohlgemuth and Robert M. Ashen ABSTRACT: A game and method of playing same which comprises a plurality of elongated sticks, preferably in groups of difierent indicia, and a ring through which the sticks are initially placed such that they can become freestanding in a generally conical configuration. Cards are provided for indicating a stick of a given indicia to be removed from the freestanding sticks by pulling the same through the ring.

PATENTE mmv 2 I97! 3.e17. 057

/N VE N TORS AEDDY GOLDFARB RENE Son/Alva BY" W M A T TORNE Y REMOVABLE STICK GAME One of the oldest games known utilizes a plurality of sticks which are initially disposed on a playing surface such as a table, the ground, or the like. The players then attempt to remove one stick at a time from the pile without causing movement or displacement of other sticks. The player acquiring the greatest number of sticks removed from the pile wins the game. Such a game, though fascinating, requires a degree of dexterity on behalf of the players, and thus is not suitable for small children to fully enjoy.

Another form of prior art game utilizes a plurality of particularly weighted playing pieces in the shape of rings, figures, and the like, which are disposed on a. framework or other suitable support. The players attempt to remove the pieces from the support means one at a time and in such a manner so as to prevent the entire structure from toppling. These games require a delicate balance of components and are often relatively expensive due to the fact that the playing pieces must be properly weighted, sized and the like. Further, the structures utilized in playing these balancing games are often complex and involve a number of differing components.

The object of the present invention is to provide a game and method of playing same which combines the utilization of a group of sticks and a supporting ring to form a balanced structure and the removal of individual sticks from the group to unbalance and topple the structure.

The above and other objects of the invention are accomplished by a game which is comprised of a plurality of sticks. The sticks are preferably in groups of differing colors. A ring is provided having a diameter sufficient for all of the sticks to be passed angularly therethrough, such that when the ring is positioned adjacent one upper end of all of the sticks, the opposite lower ends of the sticks can be spread out to form a generally conical configuration. The sticks then become self-supporting and would appear similar to the frame work of a tepee. An indicator means, such as cards or the like, can be provided with the game which will indicate which color stick a player is to remove from the freestanding pile by pulling same upwardly through the ring. By taking turns and pulling the sticks, the players will eventually reach a point where the movement of a stick can readily cause the remaining ones to collapse, since they will not have sufficient support. The game is continued until the sticks are toppled. The player who topples the remaining sticks loses, the game or some number of points, while the player with the most sticks wins the game or a number of points.

It is believed that the invention will be better understood from the following detailed description and drawing in which:

F IG. 1 is a pictorial representation of a plurality of sticks arranged in cooperation with the ring of this invention so as to be freestanding.

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a deck of cards that can be utilized in playing the game.

The herein invention, as seen for example, in FIG. 1, comprises a plurality of elongated sticks 11 which can have a circular cross section, for example, of relatively small diameter. The sticks may preferably have flat, round or blunt ends 13 which minimizes the danger when used by children.

As shown in the FIG. there can, for purposes of illustration, be 16 sticks utilized. The sticks may further be comprised of groups of four all having the same color. In other words, in the 16 sticks there can be four each of four different colors. For example, there can be four sticks each of red, green, yellow and blue. It should be clearly pointed out that the number of sticks or the number of colors or number of sticks comprising a group of a given color is not critical to the game, and great latitude is contemplated in these areas. The sticks 11 can be comprised of any suitable material such as wood, plastic, or the like.

The herein game is further provided with a ring which has an inner diameter sufficient to allow all of the sticks to be passed therethrough. In fact, the inner diameter of the ring l5 should be sufficient to allow the sticks to pass through the ring at an angular disposition, as seen in FIG. I. To play the game,

the sticks 11 are mixed together and grasped by one hand while slipping the ring 15 over one upper end 17 thereof. The ring is then passed over the bundle of sticks to a point between the two ends thereof. The ring is preferably moved down to a point between the middle of the sticks and their upper end 17. The sticks are then spread out at their bottom ends 19 so as to form an enlarged base which will be self-supporting. The remaining self-supporting structure, as seen in FIG. 1, will resemble a tepee frame, having a generally conical shape in the portion 21 extending from the ring 15 down to the bottom or base end 19. In this position, as can be appreciated, the ring 15 is prevented from slipping downwardly toward the enlarged base portion 19 and the structure becomes self-supporting and immobile. One advantage of the herein invention is that the sticks can be rapidly set up in the position shown in FIG. 1, ready for playing the game. This alleviates the requirement for delicate balancing of elements and assembling of various component parts.

The game can be provided with a stack of cards 23, shown in FIG. 2. For example the stack of cards can comprise 24 cards having six each of one of the four colors utilized for the sticks. To play the game, once the sticks are assembled, the players then take turns drawing a card and pulling out a stick of the matching color. A point will be reached in removing the sticks where an imbalance would be achieved by removal of a particular stick, causing the structure to topple. A player must pull a stick of the color selected unless all of the sticks of that color have been removed. The player who causes the remaining sticks to topple will lose a number of points or the game. The one that has accumulated the most sticks will win points or the game.

Although game has been described through the utilization of a deck of cards, it should be readily apparent that any suitable means for indicating a stick to be withdrawn from the stacked arrangement would be suitable. Thus, for example, a disc having the colors disposed in blocks about its circumference with a spinning pointer could be utilized in place of the deck of cards.

It can be appreciated that in addition to judging the structural soundness of the sticks encompassed by the ring and remaining in the structure during the playing of the game, a player must also utilize some dexterity throughout the game in removing the sticks, Care must be taken not to unduly move or shift the sticks when pulling the desired one through the ring. This becomes obviously -more critical as less sticks remain in the structure. However, since the ends of the sticks are readily exposed to the player, they can be easily grasped by a small child who can better control their movement through the ring.

As can now be appreciated, the game is simply constructed having few movable parts. It can be readily played by small children as well as adults. Further, the game is a simple construction and can be readily made at low cost.

It should be apparent that the game of this invention is best played utilizing the combination of a means such as a card deck for indicating the stick to be pulled in corresponding indicia on the sticks to achieve this result. Colors, as indicated, are perhaps the most preferably and simplest means for achieving this. However, various other means can be utilized for differentiating the sticks. These can include different number of bands on a stick; for example, a group of four sticks could have one band, a second group could have two bands,- and the like. In such an instance all of the sticks might be of the same color, only differentiating by the number of stripes or bands thereon. Further, it is possible to play the instant game with each stick having a different indicia or color from the others, and thus each card, for example, could correspond to the difiering colors. Thus, there would be 16 sticks each of a different color, with 16 cards or 32 cards having at least one card corresponding to each of the 16 different colors. In the same sense, the colors may not be evenly divided. For example, there may be two yellow and four red, and the like. Similarly, the ring need not be circular but may have other configurations such as a square or an oval.

We claim:

1. A game comprising:

a plurality of elongated sticks bearing indicia, the indicia on some of said sticks being different from the indicia on at least some others of said sticks,

a ring having a inner diameter sufficient to angularly and simultaneously encircle all of said sticks,

and means for randomly indicating a given indicia from among all the indicia borne by said sticks.

2. The game of claim 1 wherein said sticks comprise a plurality of groups of sticks the sticks in a given group all bearing the same indicia and the indicia being different from group to group. 

1. A game comprising: a plurality of elongated sticks bearing indicia, the indicia on some of said sticks being different from the indicia on at least some others of said sticks, a ring having a inner diameter sufficient to angularly and simultaneously encircle all of said sticks, and means for randomly indicating a given indicia from among all the indicia borne by said sticks.
 2. The game of claim 1 wherein said sticks comprise a plurality of groups of sticks the sticks in a given group all bearing the same indicia and the indicia being different from group to group.
 3. A method of playing a game comprising: providing a plurality of elongated sticks, partially inserting said sticks angularly through a ring member whereby a freestanding structure comprised of said sticks and ring is provided, and selectively removing said sticks, one at a time, from said freestanding structure.
 4. The method of claim 3 wherein said sticks bear varying indicia which further comprises the step of: randomly indicating that a stick bearing a particular indicia is to be removed from said freestanding structure. 